Italian-American Shooting guard Diana Taurasi (182-SG-82) had a very impressive game in the last round for second-ranked UMMC, receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 5. The 34-year old player was the main contributor (34 points, three rebounds and four assists) to her team's victory, helping them to crush Villeneuve (#6, 2-3) with 19-point margin 88-69. UMMC maintains the 2nd position in Euroleague . They are still close to the very top. UMMC would have been even be... [read more]

Italian-American Shooting guard Diana Taurasi (182-SG-82) had a very impressive game in the last round for second-ranked UMMC, receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 5.The 34-year old player was the main contributor (34 points, three rebounds and four assists) to her team's victory, helping them to crush Villeneuve (#6, 2-3) with 19-point margin 88-69. UMMC maintains the 2nd position in Euroleague . They are still close to the very top. UMMC would have been even better if they kept winning the games like in the last round. They have a solid 4-1 record. In the team's last game Taurasi had a remarkable 57.1% from 2-point range and got six three-pointers out of 14 attempts. She turned to be UMMC's top player in her season with the team. Former University of Connecticut star has very solid stats this year. Taurasi is league's best scorer averaging so far 26.5ppg. Taurasi is in league's top in and averages impressive 2.5spg,54.5% FGP and 41.7% from behind 3-point line.

The second best player in last round's games was 27-year old Serbian Sonja Petrovic (189-F-89, agency: Josep and Nicolas) of USK Praha. Petrovic had a very good evening with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Bad luck as USK Praha was edged by league's leader Dynamo K. (#1, 5-0) 69-66. It was definitely game of the week between two contenders to the title. USK Praha still maintains its place in the top 3 of the standings, even despite this loss. It was just her team's 1st loss this season, while they won 4 other games. Petrovic is a newcomer at USK Praha, but is already one of team's top players. She belongs to the best scorers in the league with 18.6ppg (#5). Her other stats are also decent: 10.0rpg and 4.6apg.

Third on the list of top players last round was American center Jantel Lavender (191-C-88) of league's second-best Fenerbahce. Lavender scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. She was a key player of Fenerbahce, leading her team to a 72-64 win against the lower-ranked Wisla Can-Pack (#6, 1-4). Fenerbahce is closer and closer to top of the standings. They will still need more victories. But 4-1 record is not that bad... Lavender has a very solid season. In 4 games in Euroleague she scored 12.3ppg.

The Player of the week is chosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3* (REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4* (2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3* (2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3* (3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

Group A Lattes Montp. - Familia Schio 69-66 Important game to mention about took place in Lattes. Fifth ranked French Lattes Montpellier (2-3) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 4th placed Italian Familia Schio (3-2) 69-66 on Wednesday evening. The hosts trailed by 8 points after first quarter, but they rallied back and won the game by 3 points. Lattes Montpellier dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Familia Schio's 36. Guard Gaelle Sk... [read more]

Group A

Important game to mention about took place in Lattes. Fifth ranked French Lattes Montpellier (2-3) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 4th placed Italian Familia Schio (3-2) 69-66 on Wednesday evening. The hosts trailed by 8 points after first quarter, but they rallied back and won the game by 3 points. Lattes Montpellier dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Familia Schio's 36. Guard Gaelle Skrela (177-83) stepped up and scored 18 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and center Elodie Godin (191-85) chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds. Four Lattes Montpellier players scored in double figures. Guard Giorgia Sottana (178-88, agency: Two Points) responded with 16 points and 6 assists and French Nwal-Endene Miyem (188-88) scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Defending French champion maintains fifth place in Group A with 2-3 record. Defending Italian champion Familia Schio keeps the fourth position with two games lost. Lattes Montpellier will face UNI Gyor (#7) on the road in the next round. Familia Schio will play against the league's leader Dynamo Kursk and hope to win that game. Top scorers:Lattes Montp.: G.Skrela 18+6reb+3ast, F.Sacko 10+6reb+5ast, E.Godin 10+10reb+2ast, S.Michel 10+4reb+3ast, R.Jarry 9+1reb+1ast, G.Robert 8+5reb+3astFamilia Schio: G.Sottana 16+4reb+6ast, N.Miyem 14+6reb+2ast, J.Anderson 9+5reb+1ast, I.Yacoubou 7+7reb+2ast, L.Macchi 6+5reb+6ast, R.Masciadri 5+1reb

Rather expected game in Krakow where 6th ranked Polish Wisla Can-Pack (1-4) was defeated by third ranked Turkish Fenerbahce (4-1) 72-64 on Wednesday. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 4-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 72-64. Fenerbahce dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Wisla Can-Pack's 34. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Fenerbahce made 7 blocks. American center Jantel Lavender (191-88, college: Ohio St.) stepped up and scored 16 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners and French center Sandrine Gruda (193-87) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. Four Fenerbahce players scored in double figures. Spanish point guard Sandra Ygueravide (172-84) responded with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and center Ewelina Kobryn (193-82) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds. Defending Turkish champion moved-up to second place in Group A. Defending Polish champion Wisla Can-Pack keeps the sixth position with four games lost. Fenerbahce will face USK Praha (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Wisla Can-Pack will play against Mersin BSB and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Top scorers:Fenerbahce: S.Gruda 19+6reb+2ast, S.Stricklen 16+4reb+3ast, J.Lavender 16+9reb+3ast, A.Quigley 15+2reb+6ast, A.Veremeenko 4+2reb+2ast, B.Vardarli 2+5reb+9astWisla Can-Pack: S.Ygueravide 21+9reb+5ast, E.Kobryn 13+13reb+1ast, M.Simmons 13+2reb+3ast, Z.Morrison 8+2reb+1ast, H.Ben Abdelkader 5+2reb+5ast, M.Misiuk 2+1reb

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Czech USK Praha (4-1) on the court of leader Russian Dynamo Kursk on Wednesday night. Visitors were edged by Dynamo Kursk 69-66. It was a key game for the top position in Group A. USK Praha was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. Dynamo Kursk dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to USK Praha's 26. They outrebounded USK Praha 38-23 including 26 on the defensive glass. Nigerian-American power forward Nneka Ogwumike (189-90, college: Stanford) stepped up and scored 16 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and center Maria Vadeeva (193-98) chipped in 11 points and 14 rebounds. Four Dynamo Kursk players scored in double figures. Serbian forward Sonja Petrovic (189-89, agency: Josep and Nicolas) responded with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Spanish point guard Marta Xargay Casademont (181-90) scored 9 points. Dynamo Kursk maintains first place in Group A with 5-0 record. Defending Czech champion USK Praha dropped to the third position with one game lost. Dynamo Kursk are looking forward to face Familia Schio (#4) on the road in the next round. USK Praha will play against the league's second-placed Fenerbahce in Istanbul and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Top scorers:Dynamo K.: N.Ogwumike 16+9reb+3ast, E.Prince 13+1reb+3ast, M.Vadeeva 11+14reb+2ast, A.McCoughtry 10+3reb+2ast, E.Kirillova 6+1reb+1ast, T.Vidmer 6+1reb+1astUSK Praha: S.Petrovic 28+7reb+6ast, A.Hanusova 13+1reb, M.Xargay Casademont 9+3reb+3ast, A.Steinberga 6+4reb, K.Vaughn 5+5reb+1ast, L.Palau 5+2reb+6ast

Very significant was Hungarian UNI Gyor's (#8) 74-65 road victory against bottom-ranked Turkish Mersin BSB in Group A. The guests were already 15 points ahead after 3 quarters before a 20-14 Mersin BSB's run in the last quarter cut the lead to 74-65 at the end of the game. UNI Gyor forced 21 Mersin BSB turnovers. Slovakian power forward Zofia Hruscakova (190-95) nailed 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and American guard Brianna Kiesel (170-93, college: Pittsburgh) accounted for 13 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Five UNI Gyor players scored in double figures. American swingman Marissa Coleman (185-87, college: Maryland) came up with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import guard Tiffany Hayes (177-89, college: Connecticut) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Mersin BSB in the defeat. UNI Gyor (1-4) left bottom position moving up to seventh place in Group A. Mersin BSB at the other side still closes the standings with five games lost. UNI Gyor will play against higher ranked Lattes Montpellier (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mersin BSB will play against the league's second-placed UMMC Ekaterinburg and will have a slim chance for a victory.Top scorers:UNI Gyor: Z.Hruscakova 18+8reb+2ast, Z.Simon 15+1reb+4ast, B.Kiesel 13+3reb+8ast, T.Likhtarovich 10+6reb+1ast, C.Goree 10+5reb, A.Lakloth 5+4reb+4astMersin BSB: G.Petronyte 18+4reb+1ast, T.Hayes 16+5reb+3ast, M.Coleman 14+9reb+4ast, K.Nevlin 8+4reb+3ast, Y.Uslular 5+2ast, N.Kartaltepe 2+1reb+8ast

gschID: 474422

Group B

A very interesting game took place in Bourges. It ended with only two-point home defeat of 5th ranked French Bourges (2-3) to leader Russian Nadezhda Orenburg (5-0) 60-58 on Wednesday evening. It looked good early as Bourges took a 3-point small lead at the end of first quarter. But then Nadezhda Orenburg had a 23-15 second period charge getting the lead and Bourges were not able to take back game control losing it eventually 58-60. Nadezhda Orenburg brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Spanish point guard Cristina Ouvina (173-90) orchestrated the victory by scoring 7 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. American power forward Elizabeth Williams (190-93, college: Duke) contributed with 10 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Brazilian center Clarissa Dos Santos (184-88) answered with 14 points and 5 rebounds and Canadian center Kayla Alexander (193-91, college: Syracuse, agency: LBM Management) added 6 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Bourges. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Nadezhda Orenburg maintains first place in Group B with 5-0 record. Bourges at the other side keep the fifth position with three games lost. Nadezhda Orenburg will have a break next round. Bourges will play on the road against Perfumerias Avenida (#4) in Salamanca and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Top scorers:Nadezhda O.: A.Bazoukou 11+6reb, E.Williams 10+7reb+1ast, T.Mitchell 10+4reb, T.Petrushina 8+1reb+4ast, N.Anoykina 8+3reb, C.Ouvina 7+6reb+5astBourges: C.Dos Santos 14+5reb+2ast, D.Tchatchouang 10+3reb+1ast, A.Filip 8+7reb, M.Johannes 8+2reb+3ast, K.Alexander 6+9reb, I.Tanqueray 5+1reb+1ast

Rather predictable result when second ranked Russian UMMC Ekaterinburg (4-1) smashed on the road 6th ranked French Villeneuve D'Ascq (2-3) 88-69 on Wednesday. The guests trailed by 5 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 11-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 88-69. UMMC Ekaterinburg looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Italian-American Diana Taurasi (182-82, college: Connecticut) stepped up and scored 34 points (!!!) and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the winners and Vincentian-Spanish center Sancho Lyttle (193-83, college: Houston) chipped in 9 points and 11 rebounds. UMMC Ekaterinburg's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Ukrainian swingman Alina Iagupova (186-92, agency: LBM Management) responded with 22 points and forward Valerianne Ayayi (184-94) scored 11 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Defending Russian champion maintains second place in Group B with 4-1 record behind leader Dynamo K. Loser Villeneuve D'Ascq keeps the sixth position with three games lost. UMMC Ekaterinburg will face bottom-ranked Mersin BSB (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Villeneuve D'Ascq will play against CCC Polkowice and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Top scorers:UMMC: D.Taurasi 34+3reb+4ast, K.Toliver 13+7ast, B.Griner 11+8reb, E.Meesseman 10+6reb+2ast, S.Lyttle 9+11reb+1ast, A.Torrens 8+1reb+3astVilleneuve: A.Iagupova 22+3reb+1ast, V.Ayayi 11+8reb+2ast, J.Gomis-Halilovic 11+3reb+1ast, M.Sy-Diop 10+6reb, O.Epoupa 7+3reb+7ast, M.Amant 6+2reb+1ast

Quite upsetting was Polish CCC Polkowice's (#7) home defeat in a game versus eighth ranked Turkish Hatay64-54. The game was mostly controlled by Hatay. CCC Polkowice managed to win second period 14-13. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The game was decided in the last minutes when Hatay won last quarter 14-6. They dominated on the defensive end, holding CCC Polkowice to just 6 points in fourth quarter. The best player for the winners was American center Courtney Paris (191-87, college: Oklahoma) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. Australian point guard Natalie Hurst (164-83) chipped in 19 points. Hatay's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Russian guard Valeriya Musina (183-87, college: Lee) produced 11 points and 6 rebounds and American center Isabelle Harrison (190-93, college: Tennessee) added 16 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for the hosts. Hatay (1-4) left bottom position moving up to seventh place in Group B. Loser CCC Polkowice still closes the standings with five games lost. Hatay will meet at home higher ranked MKB Euroleasing (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. CCC Polkowice will play against Villeneuve D'Ascq (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.Top scorers:Hatay: N.Hurst 19+4reb, C.Paris 17+12reb+1ast, K.Snytsina 14+4reb+3ast, B.Ozturk 9+4reb+6ast, T.Oral 5+4reb, G.Takmaz 0+3astCCC Polkowice: I.Harrison 16+3reb, R.Musina 11+3reb+2ast, V.Musina 11+6reb+3ast, M.Ortiz 8+4reb+1ast, M.Leciejewska 4+3reb+4ast, M.Rezan 4+5reb+3ast

There was a minor upset in Sopron where second-ranked Spanish Perfumerias Avenida (3-2) was defeated by fourth ranked Hungarian MKB Euroleasing (3-2) 77-68 on Wednesday. The hosts started the game with a very strong first quarter 23-12. But Perfumerias Avenida won second period 21-18. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The game was decided in the last minutes when MKB Euroleasing won last quarter 21-13. They made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. American guard Yvonne Turner (176-87, college: Nebraska) stepped up and scored 31 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) for the winners and Serbian forward Aleksandra Crvendakic (188-96) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Brazilian center Erika De Souza (197-82, agency: Josep and Nicolas) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds and Serbian Jelena Milovanovic (190-89) scored 16 points. Five Perfumerias Avenida players scored in double figures. Perfumerias Avenida's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Hungarian champion moved-up to third place in Group B. MKB Euroleasing will face Hatay (#7) on the road in the next round. Perfumerias Avenida will play against Bourges and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Top scorers:UNIQA Eurol.: Y.Turner 31+5reb+3ast, A.Crvendakic 14+7reb+3ast, S.Krnjic 10+11reb+1ast, C.George 9+2reb, Z.Fegyverneky 7+5reb+8ast, B.Drammeh 6+7reb+1astAvenida: J.Milovanovic 16+4reb+1ast, C.Givens 14+3reb+4ast, E.De Souza 12+11reb, S.Dominguez 11+2reb+3ast, A.Elonu 10+8reb, L.Gil 3+5reb+1ast

Griner's 24 points and 6 rebounds give her Player of the Week award - 7 days ago

POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS

follow us on

26-year old center Brittney Griner (203-C-90) had a great game in the last round for UMMC and receives a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 4. She had the game-high 24 points adding six rebounds for UMMC in her team's victory, helping them to beat Bourges (#5, 2-2) 81-66. Thanks to this victory UMMC moved-up to the 3rd position in Euroleague. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost that single game earlier this season. UMMC will need more victories to improve t... [read more]

26-year old center Brittney Griner (203-C-90) had a great game in the last round for UMMC and receives a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 4.She had the game-high 24 points adding six rebounds for UMMC in her team's victory, helping them to beat Bourges (#5, 2-2) 81-66. Thanks to this victory UMMC moved-up to the 3rd position in Euroleague. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost that single game earlier this season. UMMC will need more victories to improve their 3-1 record. Griner turned to be UMMC's top player in her first season with the team. Baylor University graduate has very impressive stats this year. Griner is in league's top in points (3rd best: 18.0ppg) and averages solid 2.5bpg and 62.7% FGP.

Second best performed player last round was Kristen Nevlin (193-C-85) of Mersin BSB. She is American-Turkish center in her first season at Mersin BSB. In the last game Nevlin recorded impressive 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Bad luck as Mersin BSB lost that game 64-71 to the higher-ranked Familia Schio (#4, 3-1). Mersin BSB managed to keep the same 7th spot in the standings. 4 lost games are too many considering they did not win any game. Nevlin is a newcomer at Mersin BSB and despite she is not a team leader yet, every game she becomes more reliable player. Hopefully performances like the last one will happen more often.

Third place about best performers goes to center Sandrine Gruda (193-C-87) of Fenerbahce (#3). Gruda scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds. Despite Gruda's great performance Fenerbahce lost 69-72 to #1 ranked Dynamo K.. But her team cannot count on just a single player as she also needs help of the other teammates especially in such crucial game. The last thing Fenerbahce needs is to lose another game like this one. They lose more and more distance to the top teams. Their record is 3 victories and 1 lost game. Gruda has a great season in Euroleague. After only 3 games, she made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 19.7ppg (2nd best).

The Player of the week is chosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3* (REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4* (2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3* (2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3* (3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.